Can we quit with the whole demonizing inanimate objects thing and maybe focus on putting potientially dangerous people in places where they will get help? And preferably not leave till they are better?

"No one was hurt but two students could face criminal charges for the airsoft handgun at Horace O'Bryant Middle School."

What criminal charges? Storage of a toy? They made no threats, and according to the article, it seems to be by chance that the one student even saw them, so the idea of using it to intimidate etc seems off the table. But I am sure the prosecutor will try to find SOMETHING to charge them with.

It may not have been the smartest thing in the world to have done, but no crime was committed here. Stop trying to turn it into one, assholes.

While we're in the subject of gun violence, let's take a moment to think critically about the "problem". Over half of the gun-related deaths trotted out every time we talk about gun control are suicides. The implication here is that somehow the willful taking of one's own life is a criminal act of violence. Indeed, the very thought behind it is that it is a morally reprehensible thing to do and by letting suicidal people be around guns, they will use them because it is a more efficient way to die.

But let's regress and look at this argument for a moment. The focus isn't on the individual and what has caused such mental anguish and dysfunction that they find death a pleasant alternative, just that they choose the most efficient way of giving in to that desire. In fact suicide and depression, as well as a host of other mental disorders, are behind even more violent acts, than just suicides.

Yes, yes, of course, we can tackle the issues of mental illness and other violent crimes parallel to the gun issue, we're told. But where is the conversation? Where is the push for improvements to our mental healthcare system in this country? Liberal and Republican alike, other than lip service, have done nothing but allow coverage and treatment options to languish and shrink, reducing funding and support for such options.

Looking at statistics for mental health in our own country, over half are affected with depression. A significant portion are affected by stress-related issues. And with our current economic trends and increasing pressure on individuals due to rising costs and stagnating wages, the chances of traumatic events spurring outbursts of rage and pain that turn deadly also increases.

For too long we ignore these issues, telling ourselves they're being handled, even naming an organization or two that are working against very uphill battles to bring change to these precursors and go on about or political discussion about the boogeyman and his scary looking guns.

If we agree our nation is in the midst of a real health crisis and that it is society's job to seek to make treatment available, then we need to push harder to seek to attack these issues and step up pressure ourselves and not just let other barely-heard-of organizations continue to take the fight on alone.

By fixing these issues and addressing the real problems that afflict every American, shedding light on the festering wound before we deal with the violent outbreak, we save society so much more than simply reducing violence by gun. And guaranteed we'd save far more children and adolescents' lives by simply helping them and those that would pose a threat because their illness and anguish drove them to violence, as well as the trauma and pain of teenage suicide/attempted suicide.

Please, let's fix the problems that aren't as emotionally charged and sexy in the spotlight and affect real change in everyone's lives.

Anyone else totally unsurprised that the NEWLY rebuilt section of the school is the one with the non-working intercom? My college has had some rebuilding that involved gutting a building and redoing the interior, and the bathrooms haven't worked right ever since. Inadequate water pressure for flushing results in clogged toilets on a daily basis. Nobody knows how to do their jobs anymore.

Tsu-na-mi:"No one was hurt but two students could face criminal charges for the airsoft handgun at Horace O'Bryant Middle School."

What criminal charges? Storage of a toy? They made no threats, and according to the article, it seems to be by chance that the one student even saw them, so the idea of using it to intimidate etc seems off the table. But I am sure the prosecutor will try to find SOMETHING to charge them with.

It may not have been the smartest thing in the world to have done, but no crime was committed here. Stop trying to turn it into one, assholes.

there's probably something banning not only guns but anything that can be thought to be a real " bullet shooting" gun from school property. I'm just guessing.

Strobeguy:The one found at HOB Thursday was a replica .45-caliber automatic handgun.

First a .45 handgun is semi-automatic not automatic

People generally classify modern pistols as either "revolvers" or "automatics". Yes, technically it's a semi-auto weapon, but "automatic" is the commonly-used term for that style of handgun. Fully automatic handguns are usually referred to as "machine pistols".

"Key West police got a call at 8:53 a.m. after a student witnessed other students displaying the replica gun, department spokeswoman Alyson Crean said. The witness called her parent, who in turn called police, Crean said."

The kid called his/her parent first. That makes me cringe. Too bad there were no adults in the building that the student could talk to about it.